20 years of polio self-help: Strong together in Rottal-Inn!

20 years of polio self-help: Strong together in Rottal-Inn!

The 20th anniversary of the polio self-help group Rottal-Inn was recently celebrated with a festive anniversary celebration in the Pfarrkirchen town hall. Among the guests of honor was the deputy district administrator Kurt Valleé, who emphasized the important role of the group in his speech. “Community is the be-all and end-all, especially for those affected by polio and post-polio syndrome,” emphasized Traudl Meister, the group’s spokeswoman and affected person. Anne Rausch from the Bavarian regional association also praised the work of the self-help groups as essential for the quality of life of those affected and said: “Without you, many things would not be possible.”

The event was not only well attended, but was also musically provided by the Pfarrkirchen gospel choir and the “Rottaler Polio Gang”. The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of a check by Valleé in gratitude for the group's volunteer work, a sign of appreciation for the support they provide to people with long-term effects of polio.

A look at the history of polio

Poliomyelitis, usually simply referred to as polio, is one of the dangerous infectious diseases that are primarily caused by the highly infectious polio viruses. Infection occurs primarily through smear infections, and yet the majority of those affected do not show any specific symptoms. In around 0.5% of those infected, full-blown polio develops, which often results in severe paralysis, which can often remain even after an acute illness, as the experts report.

Almost every polio infection leaves damage to the central nervous system. After an average of 35 years, around 80% of those affected by paralysis develop post-polio syndrome (PPS), a chronic disease that can be accompanied by new weaknesses and paralysis. Dr. med. Axel Ruetz, who was present as a keynote speaker at the anniversary celebration, explained that PPS is not contagious, but still causes significant restrictions on the quality of life. “We have to be careful not to overload ourselves, because even normal stress can lead to overloading,” says Ruetz.

The relevance of self-help today

The self-help group in Rottal-Inn has established itself over the past two decades as an important contact point for those affected. In Germany, around 50,000 people still suffer from the complications of polio, which often occur in the form of PPS. This shows once again how important the work of such groups is. Christine Cwik, deputy director of the St. Vinzenz retirement and nursing home, expressed this by presenting flowers to Traudl Meister to honor the group's dedication.

This celebration highlighted not only the importance of community, but also the challenges posed by the long-term effects of polio. The event was supplemented by a memorial service for those who died at the Polio Rottal-Inn, at which Chaplain Stefan Jell and members of the self-help group made intercessions and lit candles. “We never forget those who didn’t make it,” said one group member.

All in all, the support group can proudly look back on two decades of commitment and support, and the challenges posed by post-polio syndrome remain a central theme. Although vaccinations against polio have had great success, the issue is far from history - it remains relevant, and community collaboration is crucial.